Southwest Research Institute

Mark V Muller

Keith S Pickens

Gregory J Dirks

Nicolas Walsh

Henry L Grothues

Virgil Faulkner

The system for automated design and construction of artificial limb sockets for amputees consists of an array of ultrasound transducers especially constructed to insonify the residual limb of an amputee. The time-of-flight information recovered from this procedure is then stored in a computer, where it can be processed to provide dimensional information with regard to the relative location of the limb, skin, and bone surfaces in space. This three dimensional information is then used to produce an image of the limb with a computer aided design system for customized prosthetic design and manufacture.

Automated design and manufacture of artificial limbs

A packaging for conventional printed circuit boards for protecting them from both thermal and mechanical stress. Heat conducting rails are attached to the edges of the card, and heat conducting leads used to connect heat generating components on the card to the rails. A support plate provides a rigid outer surface for the bottom of the card, with a shock absorbing layer sandwiched between the support plate and the bottom surface of the card. A heat conductive coating over the top surface of the card and its components acts as an additional heat sink.

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Mark V Muller